Viola Davis Talks About Making Women Of Color 'Part of the Narrative'

At the National Women’s History Museum’s fourth annual Women Making History Brunch, Viola Davis gave an inspiring speech about being able to represent women of color through her work. “I understand that acting is not rocket science. I do. But I do feel that it’s an important art form,” said Davis. “It is my mission in life to make women of color a part of the narrative in our business.”

Davis is nominated for a Best Actress at tonight’s Emmy Awards ceremony for How To Get Away With Murder, but described the nod to People as “just a small sign of something far more significant.” Taraji P. Henson is up for the same award, for her role as Cookie Lyon on Empire. If either Davis or Henson take the win, this will be the first time a woman of color has won the category. “It’s the impact of my work, I think art matters,” Davis explained. “I have to continue that whether I have the statue in my hand or not.”

Davis is also up against Claire Danes, Tatiana Maslany, Elisabeth Moss and Robin Wright.